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2000 Dodge Grand Caravan starter will not crack

Tiny
JOHNBLAIR1
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 132,000 MILES
When I use my power window switch or my seat belt interior ligth comes on my engine will die and my starter will not turn over after words
Sunday, April 12th, 2009 AT 1:43 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Hello, I'm not sure what caused it, but, when the starter refuses to crank, check the circuits at the starter relay in the power distribution center under the hood, find out what your missing. The voltage to the load side of relay is hot all the time, the voltage to the coil side of relay goes hot with key in the crank position. The computer grounds the coil side of relay in order to energize the relay. Any testing at the relay make sure the tranny is in park or neutral and the e-brake is set.
Are there any codes, some of the national brand autostores will check some codes for free.
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Sunday, April 12th, 2009 AT 2:13 PM
Tiny
JOHNBLAIR1
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I can go to the relay and test it and run the test from my Chilton book and I can make the starter turn over by putting a remote starter switch between the battery and terminal 87 of the starter relay connector and then put the I put the relay back in and the van will start but if the seat belt light and chime comes on the engine shuts down and then it will not turn over again.
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Sunday, April 12th, 2009 AT 2:50 PM
Tiny
JOHNBLAIR1
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I can go to the relay and test it and run the test from my Chilton book and I can make the starter turn over by putting a remote starter switch between the battery and terminal 87 of the starter relay connector and then put the I put the relay back in and the van will start but if the seat belt light and chime comes on the engine shuts down and then it will not turn over again.
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Sunday, April 12th, 2009 AT 2:53 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Yes, you can crank the starter at the relay, but, you need to check the relay control circuits, when the starter refuses to crank.
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Sunday, April 12th, 2009 AT 3:37 PM
Tiny
JOHNBLAIR1
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
And the relay control circuit is good
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Sunday, April 12th, 2009 AT 4:40 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
When the problem occurs, if the relay and relay circuits are functioning properly and the battery, cables/wires are good? The problem has to be between the relay and starter or the starter itself.
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Monday, April 13th, 2009 AT 10:03 AM
Tiny
JOHNBLAIR1
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
But why when I get it started, and the seat belt bazer come on the engine will die and it will not crank. Wood you have a thought on that.
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Monday, April 13th, 2009 AT 4:23 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
No, I don't know the cause. My thinking was, if it effects the starter control circuit, to backtrack that circuit.
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 AT 8:29 AM
Tiny
JOHNBLAIR1
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I started backtracking and I found that there was an aftermarket remote starting put on the van I removed it but it still will not turn over would it be in the (PCM)
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 AT 9:53 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
When the starter refuses to crank, have you tried cranking in neutral? If you have voltage at two of the relay terminals, key in crank position, check the ground for the coil side of relay, 85, according to my info. The computer grounds that circuit. If there is no ground there are other issues that could cause that besides the pcm.

I have no idea why the seatbelt switch is involved. I even thought about unplugging that switch or bypassing.

If you could check for P and U codes. It might point you in the right direction?
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Wednesday, April 15th, 2009 AT 9:29 AM
Tiny
JOHNBLAIR1
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I have done all that and I have I am how looking at the ignition switch relay 30 red wire and the 87 yellow wire when I checked the red wire with a test light it dos not come on but when I check it with avoltmeter it shows to have 12v coming to it. But when I turn the key to the start the red wire losses all power. So would this be a short in the ignition switch and I need to replace it right.
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Thursday, April 16th, 2009 AT 2:47 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
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Hello, I don't know the litre size of your engine. My info shows 87 is a brown wire? Terminal 30 shows to be battery feed, does not come through the ignition switch. The feed for terminal 30 branches off a feed circuit going to the ignition switch, but, it branches off before the switch. Fuse 104-- 40 amp.

The feed for the coil side of relay does come through the ignition switch. I don't know what else to tell you, I'd have to look at it.
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Thursday, April 16th, 2009 AT 3:35 PM
Tiny
KARENCAREN
  • MEMBER
  • 72 POSTS
I agree with this one. If you check all the connection and nothing is wrong. Replace the starter you might have a faulty starter.
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Tuesday, May 12th, 2009 AT 9:33 PM

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